Man impersonating officer sought in Hernando County | Crime

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Ridge Manor, Florida -- Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis is warning residents of a man masquerading as a law enforcement officer that has already conducted at least one stop in their jurisdiction.

The sheriff's office says on Feb. 2, between 9:45 and 10 p.m., the man -- in a white Crown Victoria with red and blue flashing lights on the dash and in the grill -- stopped a person in the area of Cortez Boulevard and McKethan Road.

Authorities say the car did not have a cage or any law enforcement markings on it.

The man was reportedly wearing black BDU pants, a black jacket, black baseball cap, and a black leather gun belt that was holding what appeared to be a handgun. There were no law enforcement markings on his clothes and he did not show a badge.

Sheriff Neinhuis says the man didn't do anything threatening with the gun but that that could change at any time.

"This person didn't do anything threatening with the gun but that could change," said Sheriff Neinhuis. "This person is probably going to go one of two ways -- either he got scared and he's not going to do it anymore or he's gonna go someplace else to do it. Or, he's going to become more bold because he got away with it. We have no way of telling what he is going to do."

He is described as a white male, approximately 5'8", 200 lbs., with dark hair and an unshaven face. The witness told police they believe he is between 27 and 32 years old.

The sheriff's office says if you are pulled over by an "unmarked vehicle" and you feel uncomfortable don't speed away, but proceed at or below the posted speed limit. Call 911 immediately, and tell them what county you are in, and your exact location, and that an unmarked vehicle is attempting to pull you over. The dispatcher will then validate the authenticity of the traffic stop.

If you do not have a cell phone, please proceed to a well lit and/or populated area before pulling over. Again, they say you should not speed.